Teens Make a Difference

What is Teens Make a Difference?

Teens Make a Difference is an internship program for youth ages 16-18. Interns earn on-the-job training and have the opportunity to impact their community through an entity that touches the lives of all city residents, the Jacksonville Public Library!

What is an intern?

An intern is someone who works in a temporary position seeking skills for a career with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment. Student internships provide opportunities for young people to gain experience in their field of interest, create a network of contacts, and gain school credit.

What is an internship?

An internship is a pre-professional work-related learning experience that provides an opportunity to gain relevant knowledge and skills prior to starting out in a particular field. Itís an opportunity to apply skills learned in an academic setting and to learn new ones that can be used in future work environments. Internships are an excellent way to begin building those connections that are invaluable in developing and maintaining a strong professional network for the future.

The Teens Make a Difference internship lasts for 12 weeks and interns gain experience in the areas of customer service, library operations, clerical logistics and program planning.

Internship opportunities

Internship candidates are identified through our partner Communities in Schools of Jacksonville through their student enrichment program.

Meet Your Fall 2011 Interns

Main Library

Amanda

Main, PeriodicalsSchool: Andrew Jackson High SchoolYear: Senior

Are there any library materials that you were unaware of before this internship that you are interested in investigating? If so what, if not what is your favorite section?
" My new favorite section in the library is periodicals. I never knew that there was a section that has so much interesting books and magazines in it."

Khadija

Main, CirculationSchool: Andrew Jackson High SchoolYear: Junior

Has this internship changed your perspective of the types of people that work at the library and how so?
"This internship has changed my perspective because I didnít realize how many people the library helps every day."

Mercedes

Main/Children'sSchool: Andrew Jackson High SchoolYear: Senior

How will this library internship make a difference to this community?
"This internship would make a difference to this community because it will make others want to help too."

Regency Square Regional Library

Ebony

School: Terry Parker High SchoolYear: Junior

. In what ways will this internship help you learn about financial principals?
"This internship will help me learn about financial principles because it provides me a paycheck and it will test me with what I will do with the money. I have recently opened up a bank account and plan to save a good chunk of money I earn during the 12 week period.""

Janelle

School: Terry Parker High SchoolYear: SeniorWhat is your favorite part about working at the library?
“My favorite part about working in the library is the peaceful environment and all the positive people. ”

University Park Branch Library

Ralph

School: Terry Parker High SchoolYear: Senior

What is your favorite part about working at the library?
“My favorite part about working at the library is the positive staff that I look forward to seeing even on my days off because of the support and patience they have displayed in order for me to have a successful internship here at our public library. “

Webb Wesconnett Regional Library

Vincent

School: Forrest High SchoolYear: Senior

What was your first reaction to receiving the internship?
“I was excited about getting this internship because I always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of the library. “

Reginald

School: Forrest High SchoolYear: Senior

What do you think you will have gained or learned as a result of this internship?
“I would have gained the value of working as a team to get the job done and proper work ethic skills.”

Thank you to our sponsors and partners for helping make this program a success and giving teens the opportunity to make a positive impact in their community and learn valuable life skills.